Counselors
We support our counselors with continued education and training, allowing them to provide residents with the most effective and cutting-edge programming available. A primary counselor is assigned to each resident to help them develop and implement a treatment program. The primary counselor gets to know their new resident and their family to provide an individualized treatment experience.
There are three “clans,” or groups of counselors, that work with different groups of residents.
- Sage Clan focuses on male residents, and enhances treatment through the use of additional physical activities like participation on The Healing Lodge basketball team.
- Pelpalwichiya Clan focuses on female residents and addresses the unique needs of young ladies by providing additional information regarding parenting, child rearing and female health.
- Cedar Clan focuses on providing residents with mental health diagnosis and/or medication that stabilize their condition and allow for a focus on chemical dependency treatment.
The following types of counselors work with residents during their treatment at The Healing Lodge:
- Chemical Dependency Counselors (CDPs)
- Chemical Dependency Counselor Trainees (CDPTs)
- Mental Health Counselors
- Family Education Specialist
- Training & Support
For more information about counselors, visit the Positions & Job Descriptions on the Employment page of our website.
Skills Coaches
Every inpatient treatment center has staff members that monitor residents 24-hours a day, 7-days a week. At The Healing Lodge, we call these “Skills Coaches” to reflect the basis of what they do. Our Skills Coaches “coach” residents in simple daily living skills like doing laundry, organizing clothing, keeping a checking account, renting an apartment or house, and completing a job application. Skills Coaches work to prepare and encourage residents to make wise choices, and help them develop a sense of control over their daily lives.
At The Healing Lodge, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is used to help the residents to deal with day-to-day stresses and work towards a life that feels more meaningful and worthwhile. Skills Coaches help youth to target the issues that cause distress and help teach them coping skills without having to resort to destructive behaviors (like substance use). We work hard to create an enriched experience for the youth by demonstrating how life without drugs and alcohol can be fun and rewarding, and our Skills Coaches lead by example.
